According to the summary of this political cartoon, who were the three candidates for president in 1844? What was the president's salary at this time? What is the president's salary now?According to the cartoon summary, who is the favored contender? What details in the cartoon—positioning, symbols, text labels—support this view?Use the Primary Source Nexus search box to find information about the candidates to learn who won the 1844 presidential election.What other observations, … [Read more...]

Today in History–June 2–the Library of Congress features President Grover Cleveland, who married Frances Folsom in a White House ceremony on this date in 1886. A lawyer, Cleveland began his political career as mayor of Buffalo, New York, becoming governor of the state the following year and President of the United States just a few years later in 1885. He won the popular vote in the 1888 presidential election but failed to win a majority of the electoral college, thus losing the office to … [Read more...]

This campaign ad says the United States is the biggest business in the world. Do you think that statement is true today? Why or why not?This campaign ad lists 10 pledges Senator Warren G. Harding promises to uphold. Which 3 do you think are most important for a politician to keep? Explain the reasoning for your choices.What pledges would you make if you were running for political office? Explain the reasoning for your choices.What other observations, reflections or questions does … [Read more...]

What is the definition of radicalism? Do you agree with the cartoonist's choice to represent radicalism with a snake? Why or why not?Read the notes for this political cartoon. Do you think the elephant was a good choice to represent the G.O.P, or Republican party? Why or why not?Use the Primary Source Nexus search box to look for more information about Calvin Coolidge. What else did you learn about his political career?What other observations, reflections or questions does this … [Read more...]

What scientific event does this source facetiously mimic? Do you think the analogy works in this context? Why or why not?This source is referenced as a photographic print but is it a single image? How do you know? How do you think the postcard was made?Do some research to find out more about the 1908 contest between William Howard Taft and William Jennings Bryan. Describe at least three things that you discovered.William Howard Taft primary source collection
William Jennings … [Read more...]

Without knowing any background information, do you think this political cartoon is positive or negative? Why?Now do some research by following the links below. Who was running for office in 1908? Who was among the candidate's supporters?Theodore Roosevelt
William Howard TaftUse the links above to discover what happened in the 1912 election. How might this political cartoon have changed given the circumstances in 1912?What other observations, reflections or questions does … [Read more...]

Voting & Elections in Early America

TPS Programs

Funded by a grant from the Library of Congress, since 2004 TPS-Barat has provided free, engaging, inquiry-based learning materials that use Library primary sources to foster understanding and application of civics, literacy, history, math, science, and the arts.The mission of the national Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) program is to: build of the Library’s educational initiatives; provide content that promotes the effective educational of the Library’s resources; and offer access to and promote sustained use of the Library’s educational
resources.Learn more about Teaching with Primary Sources by visiting www.loc.gov/teachers.